I have never been so confused in my life. I've always been told that thinking about things just screws everything up. It's never been more true than now.
Jesus says and does some radical things in the New Testament. That's for sure. He speaks about being "born again," he speaks of women's rights way before the idea was even conceived, and he hung out with tax collectors (who were even more despised at the time than Barry Bonds is now, and they didn't even do steroids). Jesus saves his most radical statement for a rich young man who wants to follow him:
Mark 10: 21(NIV) says "Jesus looked at him and loved him. 'One thing you lack,' he said. 'Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'"
This guy wanted to follow Jesus. He wanted to inherit eternal life. So he asked Jesus what he has to do. Jesus' response is to follow the commandments. The rich young man responds in a way I think most Christians would respond. He says that he's kept those commandments as best he could. And then Jesus drops the bomb. Sell everything you have and give it to the poor.
What am I doing with this verse? What can I do with this verse?
I think I'm so confused because I've never heard a sermon on selling everything you have and giving it to the poor. We've been spoiled by America. America is about success. How much money do you have? What kind of car do you drive? How big is your house? Where do you buy your clothes? When I was in middle school, all the "cool" kids wore Abercrombie and Fitch clothes. It was how they measured themselves I suppose. I have some rich family members who drive Lexus vehicles and live in big houses. It's how they measure themselves against everyone else. I buy Lucky Brand Jeans, Rainbow sandals, Puma shoes, Fossil watches, and Hurley t-shirts. It's how I measure myself....I suppose.
I've been reading Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution and he emphasizes this verse a lot. The book thus far is about this verse. But he makes it seem like this verse is the only way to find Jesus, and that's what I'm struggling with. I just don't feel called to sell everything I own and give it to the poor. I don't feel called to give up all my financial security. And maybe it's because I don't trust God like I should or maybe it's because God created me for something different. I mean, even if I did, I wouldn't know who to give the money to. It's not like homeless people are the most trustworthy people on the planet. And it's not like I see the homeless all the time. Holly Springs isn't exactly the "hobo hotspot" of NC.
What am I supposed to do with this verse? Maybe I was created to tell people to follow it. And maybe cut down on my spending a little bit so I can give a little more.
"Come on and follow me
but sell your house, sell your SUV,
sell your stocks, sell your security
and give it to the poor"
-Derek Webb
Viva Revolution
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8 comments:
I really like your post and your views. I think that it is very difficult to continue to live the ways that Jesus taught in the New Testament. I think that life is a bit different now than in the time that Jesus walked the Earth, and that we need to take that into account.
Although it would be nice if everyone could sell all of their possessions and give it all to the poor, but, wouldn't they then become poor also? I think that what you said about cutting back your spending and donating more to the poor may be more of the modern day version of what Jesus was talking about. Although you may not sell everything that you own, you can still give up many things and donate. You could even donate time and volunteer.
you know, i keep trying to get a few people to read Irresistible Revolution with me.....amazing book.
about your writing....how easy is it to sell everything you have and give it too the poor? in todays day and age, possessions are practically what define us. I guess i have taken this proclamation a little less literally than some ave...I don't put much stock in material goods. i don't buy new cloths unless the local consignment shops or thrift stores dont have what i need, and then only if i really need it.
give to the poor.....who are today's poor anyway??(i sense a post of my own developing from that question....you should read my blog in about 24 hours XD) yes, we have those who are lacking in funds and food and clothes and medicine, but we also have a terrible number of people who lack in hope. in love. in Christ's love, more importantly...thank you for your thoughts, man.
I really like Miagro's response. That's exactly along the lines I was thinking when i read your post! Redefining the Poor. You know me, I'm all about some world poverty and American Christians' responsibility to end that. the question is how do we go about doing it, because a few people cannot end that problem by ourselves.
My problem comes with the "American" part of American Christianity. I'm beginning to see that it is even deeper than that: the "Southern U.S. version of Christianity!" we are so far behind in the south on issues the world is dealing with!
relook at that passage about selling everything and giving it to the poor. there may be more there than transliterating that command to your life. It is possible that Christ's motives behind saying that were completely individualistic to the person he was talking to(although I am not demeaning the view that we are to sell everything and give to the poor, but it is hard to think in such a way in a consumerist society!). If that is the case, then we can't pretend to know the motives, but we must first look and see what this passage meant to the early church and, more importantly, to the author of the book.
I won't exegete the text (that's part of the fun for you that I won't take away), but from a historical metaphorical sense the question becomes not "do I need to sell everything i OWN and give to the poor.". I think the question becomes, "What is it that I have an abundance of that would (or is) keeping me from a full commitment to the ministry and teachings of Christ, as well as more fully understanding what Christ stood for. That is the context of the passage: becoming a disciple. What are we holding back on! I think that if we ask that question we will find that it is a LOT more that we are clinging to that simply our riches! It is different for all people, but in general, it could be a spicific close-minded mindset, a hatred of someone or some group of people, selfishness, piety, not loving others...and the list goes on.
so I think that Milagro was beginning down this path, but here is another viewpoint to think about! see ya soon!
I'm a little late to the party but I just had to chime in. I came across this post by Googling the verse in question along with the word, "literally." I have to say, maybe you're right. Maybe God is calling you to not sell all your possessions, give them to the poor, and follow Jesus. An admirable calling, to be sure. You should consider yourself lucky to be among the chosen few who God has called to not give all they have to the poor. I don't know how you do it, but I admire your will to keep moving forward. As for myself, after much prayer and Bible reading, I too feel called to not sell all I have and give it to the poor. I am very excited at the prospects of pointing that verse out to others, though. That is, after I'm done threatening them with Hell if they don't agree with my beliefs.
God bless,
David
David,
You know, after writing this in August, I have found that I still struggle with this issue. I think I should at least cut down on my spending. I'm actually going to spend time with people in a new monastery in a town close to mine. Hopefully it will help my journey.
I hope that last sentence is a joke because it's unfortunate if you really feel that way.
The whole thing was a joke, man. But the fact that you didn't think anything was amiss until the last sentence really says something. I used to be a Christian myself so I'm not coming at this from a state of ignorance. Your original post is the most blatant example I have seen recently of what is wrong with Christianity. It all boils down to one quote that, I think, should be the motto of all organized religion:
"I just don't feel called to sell everything I own and give it to the poor."
I would guess about 99.9% of Christians feel the same way. Because, as much as they hate to admit it, they are on this earth to accomplish earthly things. There is no difference between Christians and atheists when it comes to the desire to have financial security. Yet that doesn't stop the typical Christian from thinking he is somehow above everyone else in terms of his kindness and love for mankind. Can we just admit it's all bullshit? Christianity is purely a social construct. The only reason to participate is to raise one's status in the community, to be seen as a righteous man, to attract a righteous girl to mate with. It's Darwinism at work.
But it's all style and no substance. Most reasonable Christians agree to not take the Old Testament literally, but most of them can't even pull it off with the New Testament. And I would say that's the harder one to put into literal practice. As you readily admit, Jesus suggested a lot of radical ideas, but you are not willing to put those ideas into practice if they inconvenience you too much. My post above was sarcastically making a point. Christians such as yourself are now rationalizing their inability to live a radical life by telling themselves that God is calling them to NOT live a radical life. Some of them go even further and say the times we are living in make it impossible. The 21st century demands new forms of radicalism, like WWJD bracelets and fish stickers.
But can we just admit it has nothing to do with the times and has nothing to do with a calling? It's your humanistic selfishness that prevents you from living the example Jesus set. You think about it, and you just can't imagine living without your Ipod and Internet. It's just too much to sacrifice. You love God, but not THAT much.
But don't fool yourself, it is possible to live that way. I suggest you take a look at this blog before you say otherwise: http://zerocurrency.blogspot.com/. You say you struggle with the idea that it's impossible to find Jesus without living Mark 10:21. Well struggle on, my brother, because I believe that is the truth. I would change the wording, though. It's impossible to find GOD without that change in your lifestyle. Jesus is right there, setting an example as someone who knew how to tap into God's love and power. He tells us exactly how to do it, but very few are willing to make the sacrifice. They are content to go through life being distracted. Because, that's all money is: a distraction.
Money is nothing more than paper that we have assigned value. We trade it for other things we have assigned value. How many of these things are needed? There are very few things in our lives that we need, but that doesn't stop us from becoming addicted to them, more so than the few things we do need.
Let's imagine, for a second, that we all decided to follow the example in Mark. It would take a few rounds of giving away everything to the poor, then having things returned to you because YOU were now the poor before we started to realize that human ingenuity allows for EVERYONE to have the things they need and even some things we merely want. We would realize the absurdity of owning a huge home and several vacation homes and numerous luxurious vehicles while many spend their nights on the street or in a ratty apartment the size of a prison cell.
Giving all you have to the poor does not mean giving all you have and becoming poor yourself. In a society in which 99.9 percent of people are not willing to live by the principal, it does become that for some, like the blogger I mention above. But in a society in which all are willing, it eventually becomes socialism. Each person contributes their talents to the benefit of the entire community. Everyone looks out for everyone else.
This type of society, in my estimation, is not possible until people are willing to take the radical ideas of Jesus (and others, who I hope you will eventually study if you haven't already) literally. Put them into practice. The easiest response is to admit this will never happen on a wide scale, so I might as well continue enjoying my privileged lifestyle as an American. But the Moneyless World blogger is not giving up so easily. He is only one person, but he was influenced by others and others will be influenced by him. You could join him and influence others yourself, but it's just too much to give up.
So, no, you will never know God. Most of us won't. But at least we'll have an enjoyable life of listening to our Ipods. It's the next best thing, I suppose.
P.S. The comment section of a blog is probably not the best place to continue this conversation. If you feel so led, you can email me at dbaker1@mvnu.edu and we'll continue.
I think this discussion is fine where it is really. I choose not to censor my blog at all.
It's interesting that you bring up these points. Especially since I have been reading Shane Claiborne's Irresistible Revolution. He talks about the "Theology of Enough." Basically, keeping yourself away from either of the two extremes, being poverty and wealth.
Now, at this point in my life I am working hard for an education. A very expensive one at that (college is overpriced especially private college). At this point, I can't just drop out because I won't make enough money to pay my student loans. Part of capitalistic society I suppose.
However, even before I read your comments, I was being pushed to make some drastic changes in my life. For one, I plan to visit certain neo-monastic organizations in my area and working with them. I plan on encouraging my youth group to work with them. I will be spending less and giving more. Most of all though, I plan on caring for people more and being a better picture of Christ.
So while I can't stop what I'm doing at this point in my life (I think God has put me in this situation for a reason), I also refuse to live with money as my "god" and to highlight the Bible in a way that is less conducive to my own selfish tendencies.
Well, you're probably closer to the ideal than most. It was your initial post that I took umbrage with, but you seem to have changed quite a bit since then. I commend you for that, at least.
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